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    Chapter 3—The Bible Canon and Spiritual Gifts

    The Holy Scriptures, composed of the Old and New Testaments, are themselves the product of the operation of the prophetic gift. Indirectly the Scriptures themselves indicate a closed canon of sacred writings. The limits and sections of the OT were already known and understood in Jesus’ time. In Matthew 23:35, Jesus indirectly indicates its outer limits: Genesis to 2 Chronicles (the last book in the Hebrew Bible), and its three-part division in Luke 24:27, 44—the Law of Moses, the prophets, and the writings, the first of which was the Psalms.BBMP 3.7

    Hebrews describes the unfolding revelation thus: “In many and various ways [literally, ‘In many portions and in many ways’] God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son” (Hebrews 1:1, 2, RSV). Starting with Moses (fifteenth century B.C.) the revelations from God begin to be recorded; over the centuries other prophets record the messages entrusted to them as God saw fit to further the understanding of His people. Finally, God chose to make His ultimate revelation through His Son. Jesus Christ has given the human family the greatest revelation of God possible for man to receive (John 1:18). The New Testament is the inspired apostolic witness and interpretation of Jesus Christ and His teaching. His is an unrepeatable life and disclosure; theirs is an unrepeatable attestation to Him. See sketch:BBMP 4.1

    Picture:BBMP 4

    Since Christ’s life on earth and the apostolic interpretation of it provide the ultimate revelation of God, no function of the prophetic gift (as one of the spiritual gifts) subsequent to the NT can equal, supersede, or be an addition to its unique witness. But rather, all claims to the prophetic gift must be tested by the Scriptures (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21; 1 John 4:1-3; Matthew 7:15-20).BBMP 4.2

    The postcanonical function of the prophetic gift whenever it shall appear will be similar to its function in the time of the apostles and will carry with it the authority of the Spirit who speaks to the church through it. The function may be summarized as follows:BBMP 4.3

    A postcanonical manifestation of the prophetic gift—BBMP 4.4

    1. Will point back to Holy Scripture as the basis of faith and practice.

    2. Will illumine and clarify teachings already present in Scripture.

    3. Will apply the principles of Scripture to the daily life.

    4. May be a catalyst to direct the church to carry out its commission as charged in the Scriptures.

    5. May assist in establishing the church.

    6. May reprove, warn, instruct, encourage, build up, and unify the church in the truths of Scripture.

    7. May function to protect the church from false doctrine and to establish believers in the true.

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